MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - May 3, 2016) - Rogers Sugar Inc. (TSX:RSI)
Message to Shareholders: On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am pleased to present the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial results of Rogers Sugar Inc. (the "Company") for the three and six months ended April 2, 2016.
Volume for the second quarter of fiscal 2016 was 161,638 metric tonnes compared to 152,579 metric tonnes in the comparable quarter of last year, an improvement of approximately 9,100 metric tonnes. Year-to-date, volume of 318,564 metric tonnes was approximately 13,400 metric tonnes higher than last year. Industrial volume increased for the quarter by approximately 10,200 metric tonnes mostly due to strong demand from existing customers. Year-to-date, the industrial segment was approximately 10,400 metric tonnes higher than the comparable period last year, mostly driven by the increase in the second quarter volume. Consumer volume was lower in the second quarter of fiscal 2016 by approximately 1,400 metric tonnes but higher year-to-date by approximately 400 metric tonnes due to timing in customers' retail promotions. Liquid volume increased for the quarter and year-to-date by approximately 2,100 metric tonnes and 400 metric tonnes, respectively, due to additional demand from existing customers. Finally, export volume was approximately 1,800 metric tonnes lower for the quarter but approximately 2,200 metric tonnes higher year-to-date due to timing in deliveries to export customers under the Canada-specific and U.S. global quotas as well as deliveries to Mexico.
With the mark-to-market of all derivative financial instruments and embedded derivatives in non-financial instruments at the end of each reporting period, our accounting income does not represent a complete understanding of factors and trends affecting the business. Consistent with previous reporting, we therefore prepared adjusted gross margin and adjusted earnings results to reflect the performance of the Company during the period without the impact of the mark-to-market of derivative financial instruments and embedded derivatives in non-financial instruments. Earnings before interest and income taxes ("EBIT") included a mark-to-market gain of $0.2 million for the second quarter and a mark-to-market gain of $12.9 million year-to-date, which were deducted to calculate adjusted EBIT and adjusted gross margin results.
Adjusted gross margin improved for the quarter and year-to-date versus fiscal 2015. Adjusted gross margin amounted to $20.4 million for the current quarter and $46.2 million year-to-date. Last year's adjusted gross margins for the comparable periods were $17.1 million for the quarter and $42.4 million year-to-date. The increase in adjusted gross margin for the quarter and year-to-date is due mainly to a higher sales volume, higher by-product revenues and lower beet cost. Adjusted gross margin rate for the current quarter was $126.00 compared to $111.88 for the comparable quarter of fiscal 2015, an improvement of $14.12. Year-to-date, adjusted gross margin rate per metric tonne was $145.03, an increase of $6.11 per metric tonne. The increase for the quarter and year-to-date is due mainly to efficiency gain as a result of a higher throughput at both cane refineries as well as a good harvest and processing campaign in Taber, which resulted in lower beet cost.
Administration and selling expenses was comparable to the second quarter of fiscal 2015. Year-to-date, administration and selling expenses were $2.0 million lower than the first six months of last year. During the first quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company completed the termination of the Western salaried defined benefit pension plan, with the settlement and transfer of the defined benefit pension liabilities to an insurance company. The settlement process resulted in the reversal of a non-cash accrual of $1.2 million against administration and selling expenses, pertaining to the deficit outstanding as at October 3, 2015. Excluding the impact of the settlement of the Western salaried defined benefit pension plan, administration and selling expenses were $0.8 million lower than the comparable period last year. The balance of the decrease is mainly explained by a reduction in consulting fees which were incurred in the first quarter of the prior year to complete the process improvement review at the Montreal refinery.
Distribution expenses were $0.5 million and $0.8 million higher for the current quarter and year-to-date, respectively, when compared to last year due to additional transfer costs between the Company's various locations as a result of an increase in sales volume.
As a result, adjusted EBIT was $12.7 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2016 versus $9.9 million for the comparable quarter and $32.6 million year-to-date, versus $27.6 million for the comparable period last year.
Free cash flow was $1.1 million higher than the comparable quarter in fiscal 2015 and was $0.7 million higher than the first half of fiscal 2015. The increase in free cash flow for the quarter is mostly due to higher adjusted net earnings of $2.2 million but was partially offset by higher capital spending of $0.8 million. In addition, during the current quarter, Rogers had a cash outflow of $0.4 million for the purchase and cancellation of common shares, as opposed to a cash inflow of $0.1 million for the issuance of common shares in the comparable quarter. Year-to-date, the increase is mainly explained by higher adjusted net earnings of $4.2 million. However, this positive variance was partly offset by higher pension contributions of $1.3 million, higher income taxes paid of $0.7 million and higher capital expenditures, net of operational excellence projects of $0.6 million. In addition, the purchase and cancellation of common shares versus issuance of common shares yielded a negative variance of $0.8 million.
The volume gained in the industrial segment for the first half of the year was significant. Looking toward the second half of the year, we project that our cadence will slightly exceed fiscal 2015 results. With the strong first half result and our projected second half, we expect industrial sales volume for the full year to exceed last year's results, despite having one less shipping week.
The consumer, liquid and export segments are expected to be comparable to last year, when adjusted for the 53rd week of fiscal 2015.
Without the benefit of an additional shipping week in 2016, we expect the total sales volume for the current year to surpass fiscal 2015's total volume.
During the quarter, the Company took advantage of favourable market conditions and the security of supply provided by our four year grower contract to enter into two three-year agreements; one with a high fructose corn syrup ("HFCS") substitutable account and the second, with an export customer, for a total annual volume of 45,000 metric tonnes. We expect these agreements to provide us with a net annual benefit for fiscal 2017 through 2019 of 35,000 metric tonnes when adjusted for traditional export volumes.
Starting in fiscal 2017, the additional volume will positively impact the acreage in Taber and therefore, a total of 28,000 acres was contracted for planting, 6,000 acres higher than last year.
| FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, |
| Stuart Belkin, Chairman |
| Montreal, Québec - May 3, 2016 |
MANAGEMENTS' DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
This Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") dated May 3, 2016 of Rogers Sugar Inc. ("Rogers") should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements and notes thereto for the period ended April 2, 2016, as well as the audited consolidated financial statements and MD&A for the year ended October 3, 2015. The quarterly condensed consolidated interim financial statements and any amounts shown in this MD&A were not reviewed nor audited by our external auditors.
Management is responsible for preparing the MD&A. This MD&A has been reviewed and approved by the Audit Committee of Rogers and its Board of Directors.
Non-GAAP measures
In analyzing our results, we supplement our use of financial measures that are calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, with a number of non-GAAP financial measures. A non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company's historical performance, financial position or cash flow that excludes (includes) amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of excluding (including) amounts, that are included (excluded) in most directly comparable measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. Non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized; therefore, it may not be possible to compare these financial measures with other companies' non-GAAP financial measures having the same or similar businesses. We strongly encourage investors to review our consolidated financial statements and publicly filed reports in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure.
We use these non-GAAP financial measures in addition to, and in conjunction with, results presented in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures reflect an additional way of viewing aspects of our operations that, when viewed with our GAAP results and the accompanying reconciliations to corresponding GAAP financial measures, may provide a more complete understanding of factors and trends affecting our business.
In the MD&A, we discuss the non-GAAP financial measures, including the reasons that we believe that these measures provide useful information regarding our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and financial position, as applicable and, to the extent material, the additional purposes, if any, for which these measures are used. Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are contained in the MD&A.
Forward-looking statements
This report contains certain forward-looking statements, which reflect the current expectations of Rogers and Lantic Inc. (together referred to as "the Company") with respect to future events and performance. Wherever used, the words "may" "will," "anticipate," "intend," "expect," "plan," "believe," and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Although this is not an exhaustive list, the Company cautions investors that statements concerning the following subjects are, or are likely to be, forward-looking statements: future prices of raw sugar, natural gas costs, the opening of special refined sugar quotas in the United States, beet production forecasts, the status of labour contracts and negotiations, the level of future dividends and the status of government regulations and investigations. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by the Company in light of its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that the Company believes are appropriate and reasonable in the circumstances, but there can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. This could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, historical results or current expectations.
Additional information relating to the Company, including the Annual Information Form, Quarterly and Annual reports and supplementary information is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Internal disclosure controls
In accordance with Regulation 52-109 respecting certification of disclosure in issuers' interim filings, the Chief Executive Officer and Vice-President Finance have designed or caused it to be designed under their supervision, disclosure controls and procedures.
In addition, the Chief Executive Officer and Vice-President Finance have designed or caused it to be designed under their supervision internal controls over financial reporting ("ICFR") to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes.
The Chief Executive Officer and the Vice-President Finance have evaluated whether or not there were any changes to the Company's ICFR during the three month period ended April 2, 2016 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's ICFR. No such changes were identified through their evaluation.
Results of operations
| Consolidated Results | For the three months ended | For the six months ended | ||||||
| (In thousands of dollars, except for volume and per share information) | April 2, 2016 (Unaudited) |
March 28, 2015 (Unaudited) |
April 2, 2016 (Unaudited) |
March 28, 2015 (Unaudited) |
||||
| Volume (metric tonnes) | 161,638 | 152,579 | 318,564 | 305,187 | ||||
| Revenues | $ | 133,988 | $ | 127,120 | $ | 264,078 | $ | 255,846 |
| Gross margin | 20,520 | 18,402 | 59,084 | 41,766 | ||||
| Administration and selling expenses | 4,988 | 5,087 | 8,554 | 10,575 | ||||
| Distribution expenses | 2,632 | 2,106 | 5,040 | 4,222 | ||||
| Earnings before interest and provision for income taxes (EBIT) | 12,900 | 11,209 | 45,490 | 26,969 | ||||
| Net finance costs | 2,595 | 3,401 | 4,992 | 6,361 | ||||
| Provision for income taxes | 2,633 | 2,041 | 10,755 | 5,426 | ||||
| Net earnings | $ | 7,672 | $ | 5,767 | $ | 29,743 | $ | 15,182 |
| Net earnings per share basic | $ | 0.08 | $ | 0.06 | $ | 0.32 | $ | 0.16 |
In the normal course of business, the Company uses derivative financial instruments consisting of sugar futures, foreign exchange forward contracts, natural gas futures and interest rate swaps. The Company sells refined sugar to some clients in U.S. dollars. These sales contracts are viewed as having an embedded derivative if the functional currency of the customer is not U.S. dollars, the embedded derivative being the source currency of the transaction, U.S. dollars. Derivative financial instruments and embedded derivatives are marked-to-market at each reporting date, with the unrealized gains/losses charged to the unaudited condensed consolidated interim statement of earnings with a corresponding offsetting amount charged to the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of financial position.
Management believes that the Company's financial results are more meaningful to management, investors, analysts and any other interested parties when financial results are adjusted by the gains/losses from financial derivative instruments and from embedded derivatives. These adjusted financial results provide a more complete understanding of factors and trends affecting our business. This measurement is a non-GAAP measurement.
Management uses the non-GAAP adjusted results of the operating company to measure and to evaluate the performance of the business through its adjusted gross margin, adjusted EBIT and adjusted net earnings. In addition, management believes that these measures are important to our investors and parties evaluating our performance and comparing such performance to past results. Management also uses adjusted gross margin, adjusted EBIT and adjusted net earnings when discussing results with the Board of Directors, analysts, investors, banks and other interested parties.
The results of operations would therefore need to be adjusted by the following:
| Income (loss) | For the three months ended | For the six months ended | |||||||||
| (In thousands) | April 2, 2016 (Unaudited) |
March 28, 2015 (Unaudited) |
April 2, 2016 (Unaudited) |
March 28, 2015 (Unaudited) |
|||||||
| Mark-to-market adjustment (excluding interest swap) | $ | (6,194 | ) | $ | 80 | $ | (1,437 | ) | $ | (1,919 | ) |
| Cumulative timing differences | 6,348 | 1,251 | 14,321 | 1,289 | |||||||
| Total adjustment to cost of sales | $ | 154 | $ | 1,331 | $ | 12,884 | $ | (630 | ) | ||
Price movements in raw sugar and natural gas as well as the movement in value of the U.S. dollar resulted in a mark-to-market loss for the quarter and year-to-date of $6.2 million and $1.4 million, respectively, as opposed to a mark-to-market gain of $0.1 million and a loss of $1.9 million for the same comparative periods in fiscal 2015. Natural gas prices have decreased since the beginning of the fiscal year and resulted in a mark-to-market loss of $1.0 million and $3.0 million for the quarter and the year-to-date, respectively. This compares to a mark-to-market loss of $4.2 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2015 and a loss of $8.2 million the first half of last year. Foreign exchange forward contracts and embedded derivatives, on which foreign exchange movements have an impact, had a combined mark-to-market loss $3.9 million for the quarter, versus a $5.7 million gain for the comparable quarter last year. Year-to-date, a mark-to-market loss of $1.5 million was recorded in fiscal 2016 versus a gain of $7.5 million last year. Finally, the movement in price of raw sugar resulted in a $1.3 million loss for the current quarter as opposed to a $1.5 million loss for the comparable quarter last year. Year-to-date, a mark-to-market gain of $3.1 million was recorded compared to a $1.2 million loss in fiscal 2015.
Cumulative timing differences, as a result of mark-to-market gains or losses, are recognized by the Company only when sugar is sold to a customer and when natural gas is used. The gains or losses on sugar and related foreign exchange paper transactions are largely offset by corresponding gains or losses from the physical transactions, namely sale and purchase contracts with customers and suppliers. This adjustment is added or deducted to the mark-to-market results to arrive at the total adjustment to cost of sales. For the second quarter of the current year, the total cost of sales adjustment is a gain of $0.2 million to be deducted from the consolidated operating results versus a gain of $1.3 million for the comparable quarter last year. Year-to-date, the total cost of sales adjustment is a gain of $12.9 million to be deducted from the consolidated operating results compared to a loss of $0.6 million to be added to the consolidated operating results for the same period last year.
In addition, under short-term interest expense, the Company recorded a mark-to-market loss of $0.1 million for the quarter on the mark-to-market of interest rate swaps, versus a loss of $0.8 million for the comparable period last year. Year-to-date, the mark-to-market loss was minimal compared to a mark-to-market loss of $1.0 million for the first half of fiscal 2015.
The following is a table showing the adjusted consolidated results (non-GAAP) without the above mark-to-market results:
| Consolidated Results | For the three months ended | For the six months ended | ||||||||||
| (In thousands of dollars, except per share information) | April 2, 2016 (Unaudited) |
March 28, 2015 (Unaudited) |
April 2, 2016 (Unaudited) |
March 28, 2015 (Unaudited) |
||||||||
| Gross margin as per financial statements | $ | 20,520 | $ | 18,402 | $ | 59,084 | $ | 41,766 | ||||
| Adjustment as per above | (154 | ) | (1,331 | ) | (12,884 | ) | 630 | |||||
| Adjusted gross margin | 20,366 | 17,071 | 46,200 | 42,396 | ||||||||
| EBIT as per financial statements | 12,900 | 11,209 | 45,490 | 26,969 | ||||||||
| Adjustment as per above | (154 | ) | (1,331 | ) | (12,884 | ) | 630 | |||||
| Adjusted EBIT | 12,746 | 9,878 | 32,606 | 27,599 | ||||||||
| Net earnings as per financial statements | 7,672 | 5,767 | 29,743 | 15,182 | ||||||||
| Adjustment to cost of sales as per above | (154 | ) | (1,331 | ) | (12,884 | ) | 630 | |||||
| Adjustment for mark-to-market of finance costs | 97 | 836 | 10 | 1,042 | ||||||||
| Deferred taxes on above adjustments | 15 | 128 | 3,512 | (650 | ) | |||||||
| Adjusted net earnings | $ | 7,630 | $ | 5,400 | $ | 20,381 | $ | 16,204 | ||||
| Net earnings per share basic, as per financial statements | $ | 0.08 | $ |
0.06 | $ |
0.32 | $ |
0.16 | ||||
| Adjustment for the above | - | - | (0.10 | ) | 0.01 | |||||||
| Adjusted net earnings per share basic | $ | 0.08 | $ | 0.06 | $ | 0.22 | $ | 0.17 | ||||
Volume for the second quarter of fiscal 2016 was 161,638 metric tonnes compared to 152,579 metric tonnes in the comparable quarter of last year, an improvement of approximately 9,100 metric tonnes. Year-to-date, volume of 318,564 metric tonnes was approximately 13,400 metric tonnes higher than last year. Industrial volume increased for the quarter by approximately 10,200 metric tonnes mostly due to strong demand from existing customers. Year-to-date, the industrial segment was approximately 10,400 metric tonnes higher than the comparable period last year, mostly driven by the increase in the second quarter volume. Consumer volume was lower in the second quarter of fiscal 2016 by approximately 1,400 metric tonnes but higher year-to-date by approximately 400 metric tonnes due to timing in customers' retail promotions. Liquid volume increased for the quarter and year-to-date by approximately 2,100 metric tonnes and 400 metric tonnes, respectively, due to additional demand from existing customers. Finally, export volume was approximately 1,800 metric tonnes lower for the quarter but approximately 2,200 metric tonnes higher year-to-date due to timing in deliveries to export customers under the Canada-specific and U.S. global quotas as well as deliveries to Mexico.
Revenues for the quarter were $6.9 million and $8.2 million higher than the second quarter and year-to-date last year, respectively, due to the increase in sales volume in fiscal 2016.
As previously mentioned, gross margin of $20.5 million for the quarter and $59.1 million year-to-date does not reflect the economic margin of the Company, as it includes a gain of $0.2 million for the current quarter for the mark-to-market of derivative financial instruments explained earlier and a gain of $12.9 million for the first half of fiscal 2016. We will therefore comment on adjusted gross margin results.
Adjusted gross margin improved for the quarter and year-to-date versus fiscal 2015. Adjusted gross margin amounted to $20.4 million for the current quarter and $46.2 million year-to-date. Last year's adjusted gross margins for the comparable periods were $17.1 million for the quarter and $42.4 million year-to-date. The increase in adjusted gross margin for the quarter and year-to-date is due mainly to a higher sales volume, higher by-product revenues and lower beet cost. Adjusted gross margin rate for the current quarter was $126.00 compared to $111.88 for the comparable quarter of fiscal 2015, an improvement of $14.12. Year-to-date, adjusted gross margin rate per metric tonne was $145.03, an increase of $6.11 per metric tonne. The increase for the quarter and year-to-date is due mainly to efficiency gain as a result of a higher throughput at both cane refineries as well as a good harvest and processing campaign in Taber, which resulted in lower beet cost.
Administration and selling expenses was comparable to the second quarter of fiscal 2015. Year-to-date, administration and selling expenses were $2.0 million lower than the first six months of last year. During the first quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company completed the termination of the Western salaried defined benefit pension plan, with the settlement and transfer of the defined benefit pension liabilities to an insurance company. The settlement process resulted in the reversal of a non-cash accrual of $1.2 million against administration and selling expenses, pertaining to the deficit outstanding as at October 3, 2015. Excluding the impact of the settlement of the Western salaried defined benefit pension plan, administration and selling expenses were $0.8 million lower than the comparable period last year. The balance of the decrease is mainly explained by a reduction in consulting fees which were incurred in the first quarter of the prior year to complete the process improvement review at the Montreal refinery.
Distribution expenses were $0.5 million and $0.8 million higher for the current quarter and year-to-date, respectively, when compared to last year due to additional transfer costs between the Company's various locations as a result of an increase in sales volume.
As a result, adjusted EBIT was $12.7 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2016 versus $9.9 million for the comparable quarter and $32.6 million year-to-date, versus $27.6 million for the comparable period last year.
Net finance costs for the quarter include a mark-to-market loss on the interest rate swaps of $0.1 million for the quarter and a minimal amount year-to-date while last year's comparable periods resulted in a loss of $0.8 million and $1.0 million, respectively. Without the above mark-to-market adjustments, net finance costs for the quarter were $0.1 million and $0.3 million lower than the comparable quarter and first half of fiscal 2015 explained by a lower level of borrowings as a result of lower inventories in the current fiscal year, due to timing.
The provision for income taxes includes a minimal deferred tax expense for the quarter and an expense of $3.5 million year-to-date for the mark-to-market adjustment as compared to an expense of $0.1 million for the quarter and a deferred tax revenue of $0.7 million year-to-date for the comparable periods of last year. On an adjusted basis, the provision for income taxes was approximately $2.6 million for the quarter and $7.2 million year-to date as compared to a provision of $1.9 million for the quarter and $6.1 million year-to-date for the comparable periods of last year. The increase for the quarter and year-to-date is due mainly to an increase in adjusted earnings before income taxes.
Statement of quarterly results
The following is a summary of selected financial information of the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements and non-GAAP measures of the Company for the last eight quarters.
| (In thousands of dollars, except for volume, margin rate and per share information) | 2016 (Unaudited) |
2015 (Unaudited) |
2014 (Unaudited) |
|||||||
| 2-Q | 1-Q | 4-Q | 3-Q | 2-Q | 1-Q | 4-Q | 3-Q | |||
| Volume (MT) | 161,638 | 156,926 | 192,912 | 160,713 | 152,579 | 152,608 | 170,767 | 158,489 | ||
| Revenues | 133,988 | 130,090 | 155,107 | 130,592 | 127,120 | 128,726 | 139,688 | 128,432 | ||
| Gross margin | 20,520 | 38,564 | 23,675 | 10,854 | 18,402 | 23,364 | 15,077 | 8,353 | ||
| EBIT | 12,900 | 32,590 | 13,753 | 3,748 | 11,209 | 15,760 | 3,706 | 1,477 | ||
| Net earnings (loss) | 7,672 | 22,071 | 7,801 | 1,050 | 5,767 | 9,415 | 874 | (886 | ) | |
| Gross margin rate per MT | 126.95 | 245.75 | 122.72 | 67.54 | 120.61 | 153.10 | 88.29 | 52.70 | ||
| Per share | ||||||||||
| Net earnings (loss) | ||||||||||
| Basic | 0.08 | 0.23 | 0.08 | 0.01 | 0.06 | 0.10 | 0.01 | (0.01 | ) | |
| Diluted | 0.08 | 0.21 | 0.08 | 0.01 | 0.06 | 0.10 | 0.01 | (0.01 | ) | |
| Non-GAAP Measures | ||||||||||
| Adjusted gross margin | 20,366 | 25,834 | 24,054 | 19,432 | 17,071 | 25,325 | 23,988 | 16,786 | ||
| Adjusted EBIT | 12,746 | 19,860 | 14,132 | 12,326 | 9,878 | 17,721 | 12,617 | 9,910 | ||
| Adjusted net earnings | 7,630 | 12,751 | 8,494 | 7,060 | 5,400 | 10,804 | 7,386 | 5,456 | ||
| Adjusted gross margin rate per MT | 126.00 | 164.63 | 124.69 | 120.91 | 111.88 | 165.95 | 140.47 | 105.91 | ||
| Adjusted net earnings per share | ||||||||||
| Basic | 0.08 | 0.14 | 0.09 | 0.08 | 0.06 | 0.11 | 0.08 | 0.06 | ||
| Diluted | 0.08 | 0.13 | 0.09 | 0.08 | 0.06 | 0.11 | 0.08 | 0.06 | ||
Historically the first quarter (October to December) of the fiscal year is the best quarter for adjusted gross margins and adjusted net earnings due to the favourable sales mix associated with an increased proportion of consumer sales during that period of the year. At the same time, the second quarter (January to March) historically has the lowest volume as well as an unfavourable customer mix, resulting in lower revenues, adjusted gross margins and adjusted net earnings.
Liquidity
Cash flow generated by the operating company, Lantic, is paid to Rogers by way of dividends and return of capital on the common shares of Lantic, and by the payment of interest on the subordinated notes of Lantic held by Rogers, after having taken reasonable reserves for capital expenditures and working capital. The cash received by Rogers is used to pay dividends to its shareholders.
| For the three months ended | For the six months ended | |||||||||||
| (In thousands of dollars) | April 2, 2016 (Unaudited) |
March 28, 2015 (Unaudited) |
April 2, 2016 (Unaudited) |
March 28, 2015 (Unaudited) |
||||||||
| Cash flow from operating activities | $ | 5,334 | $ | 20,962 | $ | 19,075 | $ | 12,993 | ||||
| Cash flow used in financing activities | (2,109 | ) | (15,961 | ) | (14,903 | ) | (6,650 | ) | ||||
| Cash flow used in investing activities | (4,362 | ) | (3,572 | ) | (5,434 | ) | (4,938 | ) | ||||
| Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents | $ | (1,137 | ) | $ | 1,429 | $ | (1,262 | ) | $ | 1,405 | ||
Cash flow from operations was positive $5.3 million in the second quarter of 2016, as opposed to positive $21.0 million in the comparable quarter of fiscal 2015. The negative variation of $15.6 million is mostly explained by a negative non-cash working capital variation of $23.9 million, due mainly to a significant year-over-year variation in inventories. Slightly offsetting some of the variation is a positive non-cash variation in fair value of derivative financial instruments of $5.0 million, lower interest paid of $1.8 million and higher EBIT of $1.7 million. Year-to-date, cash flow from operations was positive $19.1 million compared to $13.0 million last year, a variation of $6.1 million. The year-to-date variation is mainly explained by an increase in EBIT of $18.5 million and a positive non-cash variation in fair value of financial instruments of $4.1 million. These positive variances were partly offset by a negative non-cash working capital variation of $14.0 million, higher pension contribution of $1.3 million and higher income taxes paid of $0.7 million.
Cash flow from financing activities was negative $2.1 million for the current quarter versus negative $16.0 million for the comparable quarter of last year. The variation is attributable to the increase in borrowings and bank overdraft for the current quarter as opposed to a decrease in the comparable quarter. Year-to-date, cash flow from financing activities was negative $14.9 million compared to negative $6.7 million, a variation year-over-year of $8.3 million as a result of lower borrowings compared to the prior year. In addition, in fiscal 2016, the Company purchased and cancelled common shares under the Normal Course Issuer bid ("NCIB") for a total cash outflow of $0.7 million. This compares to an issuance of common shares in fiscal 2015 for a total value of $0.1 million following the exercise of share options by an executive of the Company.
Capital expenditures were higher by $0.8 million and $0.5 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2016 and year-to-date, respectively, consistent with higher planned spending on capital projects for fiscal 2016.
In order to provide additional information, the Company believes it is appropriate to measure free cash flow, a non-GAAP measure, which is generated by the operations of the Company and can be compared to the level of dividends paid by Rogers. Free cash flow is defined as cash flow from operations excluding changes in non-cash working capital, mark-to-market and derivative timing adjustments, financial instruments non-cash amount and including capital expenditures net of operational excellence projects.
Free cash flow is as follows:
| For the three months ended | For the six months ended | ||||||||||||
| (In thousands of dollars) | April 2, 2016 (Unaudited) |
March 28, 2015 (Unaudited) |
April 2, 2016 (Unaudited) |
March 28, 2015 (Unaudited) |
|||||||||
| Cash flow from operations | $ | 5,334 | $ | 20,962 | $ | 19,075 | $ | 12,993 | |||||
| Adjustments: | |||||||||||||
| Changes in non-cash working capital | 10,140 | (13,799 | ) | 25,597 | 11,595 | ||||||||
| Changes in non-cash income taxes payable | (536 | ) | (138 | ) | (955 | ) | (617 | ) | |||||
| Changes in non-cash interest payable | (1,526 | ) | 189 | 27 | 7 | ||||||||
| Mark-to-market and derivative timing adjustments | (56 | ) | (495 | ) | (12,873 | ) | 1,672 | ||||||
| Financial instruments non-cash amount | (2,646 | ) | 1,629 | (4,372 | ) | (1,307 | ) | ||||||
| Capital expenditures | (4,362 | ) | (3,572 | ) | (5,434 | ) | (4,938 | ) | |||||
| Operational excellence capital expenditures | 173 | 171 | 235 | 377 | |||||||||
| Net (repurchase) issue of common shares | (398 | ) | 108 | (727 | ) | 108 | |||||||
| Free cash flow | $ | 6,123 | $ | 5,055 | $ | 20,573 | $ | 19,890 | |||||
| Declared dividends | $ | 8,449 | $ | 8,465 | $ | 16,907 | $ | 16,928 | |||||
Free cash flow was $1.1 million higher than the comparable quarter in fiscal 2015 and was $0.7 million higher than the first half of fiscal 2015. The increase in free cash flow for the quarter is mostly due to higher adjusted net earnings of $2.2 million but was partially offset by higher capital spending of $0.8 million. In addition, during the current quarter, Rogers had a cash outflow of $0.4 million for the purchase and cancellation of common shares, as opposed to a cash inflow of $0.1 million for the issuance of common shares in the comparable quarter. Year-to-date, the increase is mainly explained by higher adjusted net earnings of $4.2 million. However, this positive variance was partly offset by higher pension contributions of $1.3 million, higher income taxes paid of $0.7 million and higher capital expenditures, net of operational excellence projects of $0.6 million. In addition, the purchase and cancellation of common shares versus issuance of common shares yielded a negative variance of $0.8 million.
Changes in non-cash operating working capital, income taxes payable and interest payable represent quarter-over-quarter movement in current assets such as accounts receivables and inventories and current liabilities like accounts payable. Movements in these accounts are due mainly to timing in the collection of receivables, receipts of raw sugar and payment of liabilities. Increases or decreases in such accounts do not therefore constitute available cash for distribution. Such increases or decreases are financed from available cash or from the Company's available credit facilities of $150.0 million. Increases or decreases in short-term bank indebtedness are also due to timing issues from the above, and therefore do not constitute available cash for distribution.
The combined impact of the mark-to-market and financial instruments non-cash amount of $2.7 million for the quarter and $17.2 million year-to-date does not represent cash items as these contracts will be settled when the physical transactions occur and is therefore adjusted to free cash flow.
Capital expenditures, net of operational excellence projects, were higher than last year by approximately $0.8 million for the quarter and by approximately $0.6 million year-to-date, consistent with higher planned spending on capital projects in fiscal 2016. Operational excellence capital expenditures are added back as these capital projects are not required for the operation of the refineries but are undertaken due to operational savings to be realized when these projects are completed.
Rogers repurchased 97,800 common shares during the quarter and 178,600 common shares year-to-date under the NCIB for a total cash consideration of $0.4 million and $0.7 million, respectively. In the second quarter last year, an amount of $0.1 million was received following the exercise of share options by an executive of the Company.
The Company declared a quarterly dividend of 9.0 cents per common share for a total amount of approximately $8.5 million during the quarter.
Contractual obligations
There are no significant changes in the contractual obligations table disclosed in the Management's Discussion and Analysis of the October 3, 2015 Annual Report.
At April 2, 2016, the operating company had commitments to purchase a total of 1,345,000 metric tonnes of raw sugar, of which 241,454 metric tonnes had been priced for a total dollar commitment of $107.7 million.
Capital resources
Lantic has $150.0 million as an authorized line of credit available to finance its operation and it expires in June 2020. At quarter-end, $79.0 million had been drawn from the working capital line of credit combined with $0.7 million as a bank overdraft, being the bank cash balances, net of outstanding cheques. In addition, $0.1 million in cash was also available.
Cash requirements for working capital and other capital expenditures are expected to be paid from available credit resources and from funds generated from operations.
Outstanding securities
During the first quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company purchased 80,800 common shares under the NCIB in place at the time, for a total cash consideration of $0.3 million. All shares purchased were cancelled.
In November 2015, the Company received approval from the Toronto Stock Exchange to proceed with another NCIB whereby the Company may purchase up to 500,000 common shares. The NCIB commenced on December 1, 2015 and may continue to November 30, 2016. In addition, the Company has entered into an Automatic Share Purchase Plan ("ASPP") with Scotia Capital Inc. ("Scotia"). Under this agreement, Scotia may acquire, at its discretion, common shares on the Company's behalf during certain "black-out" periods, subject to certain parameters as to price and number of shares. During the second quarter of 2016, a total of 97,800 common shares were purchased and canceled under the ASPP for a total cash consideration of $0.4 million.
In total, 178,600 common shares were purchased and cancelled in fiscal 2016 for a total cash consideration of $0.7 million. Therefore, as at May 3, 2016, there were 93,850,160 common shares outstanding.
Critical accounting estimate and accounting policies
There are no significant changes in the critical estimate and accounting policies disclosed in the Management's Discussion and Analysis of the October 3, 2015 Annual Report.
Significant accounting policies
The significant accounting policies as disclosed in the Company's audited annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended October 3, 2015 have been applied consistently in the preparation of these unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements except as noted below:
- IAS 19, Employee benefits:
In November 2013, the IASB issued amendments to pension accounting under IAS 19, Employee benefits. The amendments introduce a relief (practical expedient) that will reduce the complexity and burden of accounting for certain contributions from employees or third parties. The amendments are effective for years beginning on or after January 1, 2015. The Company adopted the amendments in the first quarter of the year ending October 1, 2016. The adoption of IAS 19, Employee Benefits, did not have an impact on the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements.
Future accounting changes
A number of new standards, and amendments to standards and interpretations, are not yet effective and have not been applied in preparing these unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements.
- IFRS 9, Financial instruments:
On July 24, 2014, the IASB issued the complete IFRS 9 (IFRS 9 (2014)). The mandatory effective date of IFRS 9 is for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018 and must be applied retrospectively with some exemptions. Early adoption is permitted. The restatement of prior periods is not required and is only permitted if information is available without the use of hindsight.
IFRS 9 (2014) introduces new requirements for the classification and measurement of financial assets. Under IFRS 9 (2014), financial assets are classified and measured based on the business model in which they are held and the characteristics of their contractual cash flows.
The standard introduces additional changes relating to financial liabilities. It also amends the impairment model by introducing a new "expected credit loss" model for calculating impairment.
IFRS 9 (2014) also includes a new general hedge accounting standard which aligns hedge accounting more closely with risk management. This new standard does not fundamentally change the types of hedging relationships or the requirement to measure and recognize ineffectiveness; however, it will provide more hedging strategies that are used for risk management to qualify for hedge accounting and introduce more judgment to assess the effectiveness of a hedging relationship.
Special transitional requirements have been set for the application of the new general hedging model.
The Company intends to adopt IFRS 9 (2014) in its consolidated financial statements for the annual period beginning on September 30, 2018, at the latest. The extent of the impact of adoption of the standard on the financial statements of the Company has not yet been determined.
- IFRS 15, Revenue from contracts with customers:
On May 28, 2014, the IASB issued IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. IFRS 15 will replace IAS 11, Construction Contracts, IAS 18, Revenue, IFRIC 13, Customer Loyalty Programmes, IFRIC 15, Agreements for the Construction of Real Estate, IFRIC 18, Transfer of Assets from Customers, and SIC 31, Revenue - Barter Transactions Involving Advertising Services. The new standard is effective for years beginning on or after January 1, 2018. Earlier application is permitted. The standard contains a single model that applies to contracts with customers and two approaches to recognizing revenue: at a point in time or over time. The model features a contract-based five-step analysis of transactions to determine whether, how much and when revenue is recognized. New estimates and judgmental thresholds have been introduced, which may affect the amount and/or timing of revenue recognized.
The new standard applies to contracts with customers. It does not apply to insurance contracts, financial instruments or lease contracts, which fall in the scope of other IFRS.
The Company intends to adopt IFRS 15 in its financial statements for the year beginning on September 30, 2018. The extent of the impact of adoption of the standard on the financial statements of the Company has not yet been determined.
- IAS 1, Presentation of Financial Statements:
On December 18, 2014, the IASB issued amendments to IAS 1, Presentation of Financial Statements as part of its major initiative to improve presentation and disclosure in financial reports. The amendments are effective for years beginning on or after January 1, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. The Company intends to adopt these amendments in its consolidated financial statements for the year beginning on October 2, 2016. The extent of the impact of adoption of the standard on the consolidated financial statements of the Company has not yet been determined.
- Annual improvements to IFRS (2012-2014) cycle:
On September 25, 2014, the IASB issued narrow-scope amendments to a total of four standards as part of its annual improvements process. The amendments will apply for years beginning on or after January 1, 2016. Amendments were made to clarify the following in their respective standards:
- Changes in method for disposal under IFRS 5, Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations;
- "Continuing involvement" for servicing contracts and offsetting disclosures in condensed interim financial statements under IFRS 7, Financial Instruments: Disclosures;
- Discount rate in a regional market sharing the same currency under IAS 19, Employee Benefits;
- Disclosure of information "elsewhere in the interim financial report" under IAS 34, Interim Financial Reporting.
The Company intends to adopt these amendments in its consolidated financial statements for the year beginning on October 2, 2016. The extent of the impact of adoption of the standard on the consolidated financial statements of the Company has not yet been determined.
Risk factors
Risk factors in the Company's business and operations are discussed in the Management's Discussion and Analysis of our Annual Report for the year ended October 3, 2015. This document is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com or on one of our websites at www.lantic.ca or www.rogerssugarinc.com.
Outlook
The volume gained in the industrial segment for the first half of the year was significant. Looking toward the second half of the year, we project that our cadence will slightly exceed fiscal 2015 results. With the strong first half result and our projected second half, we expect industrial sales volume for the full year to exceed last year's results, despite having one less shipping week.
The consumer, liquid and export segments are expected to be comparable to last year, when adjusted for the 53rd week of fiscal 2015.
Without the benefit of an additional shipping week in 2016, we expect the total sales volume for the current year to surpass fiscal 2015's total volume.
During the quarter, the Company took advantage of favourable market conditions and the security of supply provided by our four year grower contract to enter into two three-year agreements; one with a high fructose corn syrup ("HFCS") substitutable account and the second, with an export customer, for a total annual volume of 45,000 metric tonnes. We expect these agreements to provide us with a net annual benefit for fiscal 2017 through 2019 of 35,000 metric tonnes when adjusted for traditional export volumes.
Approximately 90% of fiscal 2016's natural gas requirements have been hedged at average prices comparable to those realized in fiscal 2015. Any un-hedged volume should benefit from the current low prices of nearby natural gas. In addition, some futures positions for fiscal 2017 to 2019 have also been taken. Some of these positions are at prices higher than current market value, but are at the same or better levels than those achieved in fiscal 2015. We will continue to monitor natural gas market dynamics with the objective of maintaining competitive costs and minimizing natural gas cost variances. The Company does not expect any significant variation in total energy costs when compared to fiscal 2015.
Administration and selling expenses are expected to be lower than last year due to a favorable variance year-to-date and the non-recurrence of certain expenditures that occurred in the last quarter of fiscal 2015.
Distribution expense for the second half of the year is expected to be slightly lower than the comparable period last year. However, overall, we anticipate distribution expense to be higher than last year.
Capital expenditures for fiscal 2016 are expected to be higher than fiscal 2015 as stay in business and safety capital expenditures could vary between $12.0 million and $14.0 million. The anticipated increase is attributable to a higher fiscal 2015 carryover of projects and a commitment to update targeted plant control systems in our Western plants. The Company will continue to aggressively pursue operational excellence capital investments in order to reduce costs and improve manufacturing efficiencies.
The beet slicing campaign in Taber was completed in early January. Throughout the campaign, the factory operated well and beet quality remained high until the end. We are estimating total beet sugar production at approximately 90,000 metric tonnes, once the thick juice campaign is completed in the spring of 2016.
As a result of the additional volume secured starting in fiscal 2017, a total of 28,000 acres was contracted for planting in Taber, 6,000 acres higher than last year.
Labour negotiations with the Montreal refinery unionized employees for the renewal of the labour contracts that terminated on February 28, 2016 have started and will be ongoing over the next several weeks.
The complete financial statements are available at the following address: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/RogersSugarFSQ22016_ENG.pdf
Contact Information:
Vice-President Finance and Secretary
(514) 940-4350
(514) 527-1610 (FAX)
www.rogerssugarinc.com or www.Lantic.ca